Zora Neale Hurston News

 Hunter College President Jennifer J. Raab announced today the inaugural production of the Hunter Theater Project, the New York premiere of Anton Chekhov's UNCLE VANYA at the Frederick Loewe Theater at Hunter College (E. 68th Street and Lexington Avenue), directed by Richard Nelson. Translated byRichard Nelson, Richard Pevear, and Larissa Volokhonsky. This production is the first time renowned Russian literature translators Pevear and Volokhonsky will have a work premiere in New York City, following the show's world premiere at The Old Globe in San Diego, California. Previews for UNCLE VANYA begin Friday, September 7. The production runs through Sunday, October 14, with an official press opening on Sunday, September 16. Tickets are on sale now.

From Friday, July 20 through Thursday, July 26, BAMcinématek presents Pioneers: First Women Filmmakers in collaboration with Kino Lorber and The Library of Congress. A follow-up to its award-winning Pioneers of African-American Cinema, this collection was produced for Kino Lorber by Bret Wood and curated by historian Shelley Stamp. The series presents a vast array of new 2K restorations, focusing primarily on women directors of the silent-era American cinema. As was frequently the case, women directors remained uncredited or were co-credited as director, even though for all intents and purposes, they were the de-facto directors and primary creative forces of the film. “Women played an extraordinary role in early filmmaking, but this history has been largely forgotten,” says series curator Shelley Stamp, 'I'm so thrilled that these films have been restored and re-scored so that contemporary audiences will have a chance to see what female filmmakers were up to 100 years ago.” Stamp will be present to introduce the first four programs in the series.

The award-winning Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company's popular 'Tales of the Victorians' returns for its twenty-ninth year! Take tea at a lovely venue, indulge in tantalizing treats, and listen to stories by famous American authors like O. Henry, Zora Neale Hurston, and Mark Twain read by ELTC performers and friends, for only $12.00. Children are always welcome, and ages 12 and under are free.

In September of 2015, when Tony F. Sias was appointed as President and CEO of Karamu, the country's oldest African-American theatre, the organization was at its lowest point. In financial trouble, having slipped in the quality of its arts programs and seemingly rudderless, the future looked bleak.

The award-winning Equity professional East Lynne Theater Company's popular 'Tales of the Victorians' returns for its twenty-ninth year! Take tea at a lovely venue, indulge in tantalizing treats, and listen to stories by famous American authors like O. Henry, Zora Neale Hurston, and Mark Twain read by ELTC performers and friends, for only $12.00. Children are always welcome, and ages 12 and under are free.

Goodman Theatre announces the cast and creative team for the Chicago premiere of Father Comes Home From the Wars (Parts 1, 2 & 3) by Pulitzer Prize winner Suzan-Lori Parks, directed by Niegel Smith. Parks, in her "finest work yet" (New York Times), serves up "an American story as much about our present as it is about our past" (Los Angeles Times). Filled with wit, poetry and original music composed by Grammy Award winner Justin Ellington and performed on stage nightly by Chicago native blues musician Melody Angel, the production follows Hero (Kamal Angelo Bolden), a Texas slave, who faces a simple yet monumental choice: join his master in the Confederate army to win his freedom-or remain enslaved at the plantation. Father Comes Home From the Wars (Parts 1, 2 & 3) appears May 25 - June 24, 2018 (opening night is June 4 at 7pm) in Goodman Theatre's 350-seat flexible Owen Theatre. The estimated run time is 2 hours and 30 minutes. Tickets ($10 - $40; subject to change) are available at GoodmanTheatre.org/Father , by phone at 312.443.3800 or at the box office (170 N. Dearborn). The Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation is the Major Production Sponsor and American Airlines is the Contributing Sponsor.

Mixed Magic Theatre (MMT)  is  thrilled  to present  Pell  Award  Winner   Ricardo  Pitts-Wiley's  adaptation of 'Sweat' and 'The Gilded Six Bits', two  short stories by   Zora Neale Hurston, the celebrated  author  of 'Their  Eyes  Were   Watching  God '. Raised in Eatonville, Florida the first all black town to incorporate in the United States, Hurston's first love was  African  American  folklore. She  was an American  folklorist, anthropologist ,novelist,   ethnographer, and  short story writer . 

Artistic Director Eric Schaeffer and Managing Director Maggie Boland announce the full lineup for Signature Theatre's 2018/19 season.

"Life is short, and it's up to you to make it sweet." - Sadie Delany (1889 -1999). Goodman Theatre revives Having Our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years, Emily Mann's "warming theatrical event" (Variety)that celebrates the lives of "two strong, vibrant women dispensing joy and wisdom" (Chicago Tribune). Goodman Theatre Resident Director Chuck Smith's production features Ella Joyce and Marie Thomas as the Delany centenarians, Bessie (1891 - 1995) and Sadie (1889 -1999), respectively, as they trace their lives in a heartfelt reflection of their family history and triumphs over prejudices in times of social unrest.

The Gates Preserve announces Write On! The Legend of Hip-Hop's Ink Slingers crowdfunding campaign, to complete and release the first documentary about the journalists that shaped and influenced hip-hop culture as we know it. The forthcoming documentary will journey from the beginning of hip-hop journalism to those writers that recognize themselves as hip-hop journalists now and the role the internet plays in documenting the culture. Write On! takes interviews with these and other key hip-hop juggernauts incorporating flashback film footage, archival photos, animation, and motion graphics to bring you on a journey into the minds and hearts of hip-hop's own music writers.

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater announces the full company for August Wilson's quintessential epic drama Two Trains Running. Confronted with a rapidly changing world in the wake of the death of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the looming demolition of Memphis Lee's diner, Memphis and his regular customers struggle to maintain their solidarity and sense of pride.

Yale Repertory Theatre (James Bundy, Artistic Director; Victoria Nolan, Managing Director) presents Father Comes Home From the Wars, Parts 1, 2 & 3 by Suzan-Lori Parks, directed by Liz Diamond, March 16-April 7, at the University Theatre (222 York Street). Opening Night is Thursday, March 22. Father Comes Home From the Wars, Parts 1, 2 & 3 is a co-production with San Francisco's American Conservatory Theater, where it will play April 25-May 20.

Following the grand opening of its new permanent home this past December, The Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami (ICA Miami) presents an exciting roster of Spring 2018 exhibitions, featuring major solo exhibitions that provide new insight on the work of Terry Adkins and Donald Judd.

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January 15), the River Street Theatre (RST) in Jaffrey will present the documentary film Rosenwald, the surprising story of a philanthropic retailer who changed the course of education for African Americans in the rural south. Rosenwald will be shown at the RST on Sunday, January 14 at 2pm and 7pm.

The new Broadway production of Once On This Island officially opens tonight, December 3rd, at the Circle in the Square Theatre (235 W. 50th street, NYC), and is directed by Tony nominee Michael Arden, and choreographed by the critically-acclaimed Camille A. Brown. Scroll down to learn more about the company and watch highlights from the show!

The 45th Annual AUDELCO Awards were held Monday, November 20th, at Symphony Space on 95th Street and Broadway. Scroll down for the winners of Black Theatre's most prestigious awards!

Dr. Barbara Ann Teer's National Black Theatre NBT welcomes Roscoe Orman (Sesame Street, The Night Of) in Nambi E. Kelley's play 'Blood,' the first I AM SOUL PLAYWRIGHTS RESIDENT workshop. The show is directed by Elizabeth Van Dyke.

JACK presents 690 wishes in concert by Justin Hicks and The HawtPlates with Charlotte Brathwaite, running November 1 - 3, 2017.

Dr. Barbara Ann Teer's National Black Theatre NBT announced today that Roscoe Orman (Sesame Street, The Night Of) will star in Nambi E. Kelley's play 'Blood,' the first I AM SOUL PLAYWRIGHTS RESIDENT workshop. The show will be directed by Elizabeth Van Dyke.